SPARTANBURG, S.C. – AJ Priaulx hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning to tie the game at 5-5 but Xavier scratched across a run in the ninth to get past the Presbyterian College baseball team, 6-5, on Saturday afternoon at Harley Park in Spartanburg, S.C. The Blue Hose drop to 2-6, while the Musketeers improve to 2-4.

How It Happened

Xavier got the scoring started with a three-run second inning. Joe Gellenbeck tripled down the right field line to lead off the inning and two batters later, Ryan Altenberger scored him with a sac fly to center. Allbry Major followed with a single to left to keep the inning going and Matt Warkentin homered to center to make it 3-0.

PC countered with a lone run in both the second and third innings. TJ Richardson drew a leadoff walk to get things started in the second. Three batters later, Andrew Bladt singled past the third baseman and a misplay by the left fielder allowed Richardson to score from first to get PC on the board. In third, Nick Wise hit his first home run of the season with a solo shot to right to pull PC within a run at 3-2.

Xavier extended its lead with two runs in the fourth. Major singled up the middle with one out to put a man aboard. After a strikeout, Natale Monastra walked to put two on and a wild pitch put runners in scoring position with two outs. Will Larue then singled to right to score both runners but was doubled off trying to go to second to end the inning.

PC managed a run in the sixth to cut in to the lead. AJ Priaulx and Richardson singled back-to-back to put two on with one out. After a foulout for the second out, Colton Chapman drew a pinch-hit walk to load the bases and Bladt followed with a walk to bring in Priaulx. The Blue Hose were unable to get anymore, though, as a foulout ended the inning.

The Blue Hose then tied it with two runs in the seventh. Jonathan White led off the inning with a single to right. Three batters later, AJ Priaulx hit his first home run of the season, taking an 0-2 pitch deep to center to tie the game at 5-5.

Xavier broke the tie with a run in the ninth. Will Larue singled up the middle with two outs and stole second a few pitches later. Chris Givin then singled through the left side to score Larue from second to give the Musketeers the 6-5 lead.

Pitchers of Record

Trey Schramm (2-0) earned the win in relief, working 2.2 innings and allowing one run on one hit with one walk.

Andrew Durden (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing a run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work with one strikeout against no walks.

Notables

- AJ Priaulx hit his first home run of the season with a game-tying two-run long ball in the seventh. Priaulx led the Blue Hose on the day, going 2-for-4 with the homer, two runs and two RBIs.

- Nick Wise also hit his first home run of the season in the third inning, a solo homer to right. Wise has hit safely in all eight games this season, the only PC player to do so.

- Ryan Hall turned in a strong outing on the mound, working 3.0 scoreless innings in relief without allowing a hit and striking out three against no walks.

Up Next

PC is slated to wrap up play in Spartanburg on Sunday at Wofford with first pitch set for 1 p.m. at Russell C. King Field.